Drill jig
- Thread starter Gizzard
- Start date
I have been using Jeffs clear jig on my son's Scout cars. It has been very good. We check the drills using Lightnin Boys method and so far they have been good. My son is done with scout racing and dad is going to try his hand at league racing so I'm planning on getting the silver bullet extreme for that.
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I use the Silver Bullet Extreme. I was getting mixed results and have been informed here that it is because of me and not the jig. So I have spent a lot of time on a propitiatory jig to hold the Silver Bullet Extreme and now I am very happy with each drill.
I own both. Started with the clear jig and recently purchased the silver bullet extreme. Both work well. I found that the clear jig was a bit easier to use out of the box. The silver bullet is just as good and possibly better, but did take a little practice. It seems to be preferred by the league racers here. I found that using a dremel at a slow to medium speed and not pushing against the sides of the bushing, as some have suggested, works the best for me. I’m not sure exactly why I experienced a difference, possibly due to the depth of the bushing (see pic) but most likely just user error and needing practice with it. I do prefer the 5 hole clear jig when helping with scout cars at the workshop build night. Its way easier to just tell the kids/parents to push the axles in and explain the reason for the angled wheel than to bend a bunch of axles, explain the axle tuning process, and exceed their attention span.
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I've been having similar problems trying to get a consistent drill using the Silver Bullet Extreme. Like, you, it's probably me as I've tried different #43 drill bits. I'm curious what your jig looks like that you built for it and the process you used to make it.
I've been having similar problems trying to get a consistent drill using the Silver Bullet Extreme. Like, you, it's probably me as I've tried different #43 drill bits. I'm curious what your jig looks like that you built for it and the process you used to make it.
What problems do you have? How do you know you have a problem? What wood are you drilling into? Mixed results leads me to believe you are using wood that is deflecting the drill bit.
In my experience it is easy to wallow out the drill bushings in the jigs, and then you can't get anything good out of them. You want to use a bit that fits perfectly, no play, but not too tight. Also, I stay away from using a power drill. I can't take credit for it, but it was pointed on here elsewhere that if you're using a drill that has done any serious work, then it likely has too much run out for it to work properly in one of the jigs. It will only make crooked holes and wallow out the bushings.
You could buy 10 or so #43 bits from McMaster Carr and pick the one that fits the best. If they're all too tight then don't be afraid to lightly sand one until it fits. If they're all too loose, well..... then you have a problem.
I have a solution that is working for me, it wasn't cheap, but does the job. If anyone is interested send me a PM, I don't want to make it public.
You could buy 10 or so #43 bits from McMaster Carr and pick the one that fits the best. If they're all too tight then don't be afraid to lightly sand one until it fits. If they're all too loose, well..... then you have a problem.
I have a solution that is working for me, it wasn't cheap, but does the job. If anyone is interested send me a PM, I don't want to make it public.
For me, it's DD4H sugar pine along with his #43 bit and manually drilling with elbow grease. One attempt results in toe in and the next one would be toe out. Watched DD4H video showing to use hand power drill with slight force to front of car and had similar results. Probably took 10+ attempts until I finally got something right. Just getting it to drill properly was the most frustrating part of my build.
Like I said earlier. I have had no problem with drills using Jeff's clear jig. I use Lightning Boys method for checking. Jeff said to use a pin vise with his jig and it has worked. We have drilled about 8 bodies with it.
I dont use those jigs so maybe im outta line but I thought u were supposed to use a pine vise?
Most people say to, but John says to use a drill with the silver bullet extreme.
Got ya, didnt mean to type pine vise but you know what I meant. I always wanted to smash the piggie bank n pick one up but reading this kinda stuff makes me wonder if I should just stick to what I have.
Yeah. The aluminum jigs with a lot of drill bushing in them are pretty pricey. Thats why I picked up the clear jig first. I also have the block, but I didn't really like it.
My guess is I have some slop with the vise and the drill bit. The thing that I’ve learned is to not be afraid to try new tools and techniques, but take caution to attempting new methods when time is in short order. It is better to learn these skills in your spare time, rather than when you’re rushed.
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